Fire at Campsfield House immigration removal centre leaves two in hospital

A fire at an immigration removal centre in Oxfordshire has left two people in hospital and forced the relocation of many of its detainees.

The Home Office said the two men were receiving treatment after fire broke out at Campsfield House in Kidlington, near Oxford, on Friday night.

The fire seriously damaged the roof of one of the centre’s three detention blocks, leaving a gaping hole that exposed blackened rafters. The blaze had been extinguished by Saturday morning, and an investigation team was at the scene to establish its cause.

A Home Office spokesman said that more than half of those held at Campsfield House were being relocated.

“A fire at Campsfield immigration removal centre has led to more than half of the detainees being relocated to other removal centres around the UK. All the detainees have been accounted for and two male detainees are now in hospital. The cause of the fire is being investigated by police and the fire service.”

The fire brigade was called at 9pm on Friday night, and 10 fire engines attended the blaze.